Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128169
~r()m the ~i I'm convinced KTM has devised a means of magically shrinking the bore size on its "125s" when they are pulled apart and measured by AMA inspectors. That's the only way to explain how the company is able to get away with running what is obviously a 200cc engine in its 125 SX. I was amazed last year at the little Katoom's incredible power, and that same boost was once again immediately evident upon riding the 2003. Even better, that impressive power is easy to use· ideal for not only experts and pros (since it's potent on top) but for novices as well (since it's torquey). Glen Helen has some rather high-speed sections, but I never came close to missing the now-absent sixth gear, and you won't either, unless you take your SX offroading. Suffice it to say that this is still one killer motor. Fine, but I was expecting that. What really impressed me was the strides KTM has taken with its chassis and suspension. The company did some serious testing and futzing in this department, and it shows. Last year, the SX felt like a stinkbug, with the rear of the seat hitting the rider's butt and the rear wheel hopping off the ground through braking bumps. No more. The bike feels flat now - much less foreign than any other European motocrosser I've ever ridden. It carves up corners, and it's easy to move around in the rider cockpit (although the hinges on my knee braces did catch in the holes in the radiator shrouds· but I've got really long legs). The suspension is much better as well, as both ends do a good job of following undulations in the terrain. Last year, the unpredictable rear had me somewhat fearful on jump take-offs, while the harsh front would punish me upon landing. Now, the rear stays planted through rough stuff, and it's "normal" over jumps. The front is also much more plush; I did notice a slight jar on jump landings, but I'm looking forward to trying less compression damping. Speaking of setup, the Iinkless WP shock requires nonstandard adjustment, with bike sag taking precedence over rider sag. Set the former at 40mm, and the latter should work out to approximately 105-110mm. In addition, the shock features negative travel of 5-10mm - a mechanical function of preventing the rear wheel leaVing the ground (by allowing the rear of the bike to lift) under hard braking. Bottom line: The 125 SX was very good last year, and it's even better this time around. I can't wait to get it in our shootout. I also can't wait to tryout the real 200 SX, a new bike KTM Is offering for 2003. Judging by the 125, it should feel like a 250! Chris Jonnum @[j)@@tJ(J5@@(JO@[JiJg;g ~@@@ CTIlfljJ fJ ~@ ~E ENGINE: .......•.................Single-cylinder two-stroke wi power valve DISPLACEMENT: . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124.8cc BORE x STROKE: ....•..........•........•............ .54 x 54.5mm COOUNG: Uquid CARBURETJON: ......................•.•.............Keihin PWK 39 TRANSMISSION: .........•.•.................•.............S-speed RAKE/TRAIL: 116mm/27° FRONT SUSPENSION: WP 80mm fork wi external preload adjustment, compression-damping adjustment [, rebound-damping adjustment REAR SUSPENSION: WP Iinkless PDS shock w/ extemal compression-damping adjustment [, rebound-damping adjustment FRONT TIRE: ..........•....................Bridgestone M59 80/100-21 REAR TIRE: ........•.................•.....Bridgestone M70 100/90-19 FRONT BRAKE: ............•......•..............Single hydraulic disc REAR DISC: ....•.•......•........•..............Single hydraulic disc SEAT HEIGHT: ...............................•....925mm/36.4 inches WHEELBASE: 1461mm/ 57.3 inches CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200 Ibs SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: ..............•..............•.......N/A cue I • n e _ S • AUGUST 28. 2002 55